Remember When

I just had to read *Remember When* again after having it sit on my shelf for a while. This is honestly the best McNaught book I have read and one of the few books I can read over and over again and love it even more afterwards. There is none of the heartache found in other McNaught books, just simple, unquestioning love between Diana and Cole. It leaves you smiling throughout the story, especially in the first few chapters, and then sigh with contentment at the end :) *Remember When* is a simple, yet satisfying, romance novel with none of the stupid misunderstandings other couples find in such books as *Whitney, My Love* and *Almost Heaven*. Which means, the hero or heroine isn't dumb enough to ruin what he or she has. Diana and Cole aren't just a typical couple thrown together by lust; they actually LIKE each other, something lacking in most other romance novels. Cole is a wonderful hero, and Diana the perfect match for him :)

I don't understand how anyone could give this book less than 5 stars. It is not written in Judith McNaught's typical style... couple meets, couple falls in love, misunderstandings occur where both think the other has wronged them, and then all works out... this was better! If you enjoyed 'Paradise' and its sequel 'Perfect', I guarantee you will love this one. 'Remember When' briefly mentions Matt Farrell from 'Paradise' and it is about a once nobody turned tycoon but it is not boring because there isn't so much strife between the main couple. I think it's better because of it. There is enough strife in real life. Cole meets Diana when he's a college student working as a stable hand and she a pampered but not stuck up daughter of a wealthy man. They have a great friendship from the beginning... and it only gets better. I love reading when a couple stands up to anybody for the other. If you don't like that then don't read it. This will remain in my keeper shelf.

Remember When is a great romance novel, and the only one that can come close to it is Something Wonderful. I love the way Cole and Diana's relationship was able to develop without sex being mentioned on every other page. This was a gentle romance that blossomed, and the readers were able to feel the strong emotions between Cole and Diana. I especially loved the scene when Cole gave Diana a stuffed kitten for her Sweet Sixteen. It was nice to see that Diana wasn't so snobby that she would scoff at such a gift. It was humorous when Diana compared Cole's lovemaking to Rosemary's Baby, and when Cole complained his ego was hurt. Wonderful romance, the best contemporary I have ever read. This one is a keeper.

Huh? Did I and the other reviewers read the same book? Did I miss an earlier edition that's really awful! Because 'Remember When' is anything but. The writing itself is, again, superb. Her prose and easy flow is what leads me back to Ms McNaught's name on the shelves again and again. But this novel is more than a simple pulp romance. It is so much more. The long prologue detailing Cole & Diana's history is wonderful. Finally we get to see character exploration without sexual pressure. I applaud Ms McNaught's courage in devoting so much room to it - the publisher must've hated this bit! ;-) Ditto the dining room conversation that so many readers seem to find boring, ditto the pages devoted to Cal & Cole's touching relationship (previous reader who wanted more pages devoted to the hero... did you skip this bit?). Some previous readers commented that 'Remember When' didn't have enough passion... ... no, it isn't passionate, but it is tender; ... it isn't passionate, but it is sweet; ... it isn't passionate, but it is subtle.Some previous readers want to know when did the hero and the heroine started to fall in love - try not to skip the 1st 100 pages when she was 16 and he was the stable boy. That is when. Remember?This novel is not the average romance. It has depth, it has subtlety, it has so much more. PS/ and I definitely don't understand why people would prefer this novel to some perverse woman begging to be raped repeatedly in 'Whitney, My Love'.

I have recently started reading Romance novels and found them to be extremely relaxing and entertaining. Although I understand some of the reader's issue with the book, I honestly couldn't put it down and find myself reading over specific sections over and over again. I enjoyed the Orchard Ball a great deal especially when Cole saved Diana from the jewelry auction. Of course, it is unreal that someone with that much money can be also young and handsome (we have to have something to dream about...) I wish there were more sections between Cole and Diana after they got married. Of all of the different authors I have read, I like the way Judith writes her conversations the best. They are always with humor and actually flows like people talking. I think I will go read this book again later.